Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-02-05
TSpccia TO ST. Paul Glooe.

CHICAGO, Jan. 24.-When the Pail Mall
Gazette stirred the moral and immoral world
some time ago by exposing the wholesale traf-
tic in young girls virtue in London, il appar-
emily had no idea that such a place as Chicago
existed. In this city the business thriyes, and
the police are I'm a measure responsible for the
narrowing stories told by uuSophisticated
girls who have been lured To dens in the Wis
cOnsin woods. William Gaines, a notorious
character at No. III Halstead street, is the
pioneer IN the business, and within the past
four months 1t has been roughly estimated
that he has sent TO these dens over one hun
dred young girls, who in an evil moment
crossed his path. But few have escaped, and
those now in the tolls Of the PROGRESSES in
the wilds Of Wisconsin are suffering living
deaths. The Humane society has restored
Maggie Gerwel and Mary McDermott 70 their
parents, and the tales the young girls tell are
frightfrl 90 contemplate. Their age is 10
years. Flattering promises Of wealth, etc,
were held out 10 them, and the children ac-
ccpted. They were not given an opportunity
to inform their parents Of the step they were
about TO take, but were soon onboard Il Wis
consin Central train, and after a long ride ar
rived at Hurley, w 5.
The little ones, after being taken from the
train, were driven TO a dance house i'm the
woods. The place s surrounded by a board
fence twelve feet high for the purpose Of
keeping the innocent from escaping. Should
they manage 20 break through the circle
blood hounds are on hand to track them. On
reaching the den the girls were attired In
short dresses and made TO subm to the
greatest indignities. Within a week they
were indebted 500 to the landlord. In the
meantime the police were notified OF their
disappearance, and afterwards the humane Of
ticers. The latter OWNED the whereabouts Of
the girls and went to Hurley, and after a
sharp fight with the human brutes lodged
there, brought them to Chicago.
To-day Mamie Johnson was released, and
she exposed Gaines and told how he worked
upon her credulity. She is the daughter Of re-
spectacle people in the east, where she mar
rted. On coming to Chicago her husband de-
serted her. Being without money she went
to work in Gaines restaurant as cook.
After a week be Informed her that he had Sc
cured for her a place in Wisconsin In the
same capacity and at better wages. With an
other victim she went, thinking the place was
as represented. On being taken inside the
fence surrounding the house she saw a mum
Der OF bulldogs chained 10 posts, and i'm tie
house were sVarthy miners and young girls
in snort dresses.
Then She realized her awful situation. To
attempt an escape was 10 b. mangled by the
dogs. 1t was a relief TO her when she was ar
rested aud placed in prison. She scored Gaines
ana impiored the Lord 10 visit him with eter-
nal punishment. She says that tLeman's place
Is rendezvous for county officers, who receive
enumeration for keeping their mouths shut.
MISS Johnson Is a physical wreck, and he
lease OF life is painfully short. Gainea, saloon
and restaurant was wide open last night. and
the toughest OF tough men and women were
to be found therein. 1t is in Captain Of Police
Wards district and is said 20 be protected for
a consideration. The dens unable TO pay
tribute are raided nightly, bu. what can be
expected "hen a police official was found
basking in the smiles Of Belle Dimick 9 land.
lady on Clinton street, a few nights ago.
while houses directly opposite were being
raided. 7